...be it a small and went relatively unnoticed - but change is a coming!!

I meant to post this as soon as it was announced - but never got round to actually posting it. So what is happening or happened ??

Take a relatively successful Sony Television programme that had its first 3 Seasons aired in the UK on Sky 1 - the suddenly not come back for a 4th Season (well on Sky 1 at least) the US network continued both Season 4 and planned to air Season 5 - However still no word on who would pick up the next Season if at all (as we know there are some great US shows that start in the UK and then for a number of reasons get dropped!)

I then had the added insight from my friends at Sony here in the UK - who told me that they have some exciting and innovative news coming for the next season....

What was that? What was he talking about? Who was going to get the next Season?

Then in October an announcement arrived that the next Season of Rescue Me (great US show about New York Fireman post 9/11 staring Dennis Leary) would be exclusively aired on......iTunes

Yes iTunes picked up the show, and released a "Season Pass" for the entire 4th Season for £9.99 (RRP of these Season is £39.99 normally sell for around £15)

So why so significant and revolutionary?

To suddenly see Apple in the TV space premiering shows is a big deal - its not just about resale of digital assets - their Apple TV is now becoming a TV station and starting to air new programmes that are not available on any other UK network at this stage. The user also owns the episodes and can at their leisure re-watch when ever they like. They get an email  to let them know that the next episode has downloaded and is available to watch.

Forget catch-up TV - Apple have (as I said at the start very small steps) stepped into the broadcast arena in the UK - and if successful may well start to exclusively premier more new TV shows that you will only be able to see via iTunes...